Good breath, bad breath
This thesis is the result of an explorative study for the master’s study of Medical Anthropology and Sociology about knowledge and ideas on oral health and the availability and accessibility of self-care and professional oral care. The research was carried out in urban and rural areas in Chipata District, Zambia. Data was collected from participants via participatory observation, guided discussion and semi-structural interviews. Food diaries were used to collect data on daily nutrition. The results of this study suggest that people have knowledge and ideas on oral health, oral health problems and methods of oral care. This knowledge of oral health does not seem to influence the motivation for oral hygiene but does determine people’s type of oral self-care or professional oral care. People’s ideas about oral health seem to be more rooted in society than in biological explanations. Oral hygiene practices are performed for social reasons. Hygiene is important to distinguish a person as clean and wealthy and hygiene activities are performed to be accepted and respected in society. Oral health problems are associated with this perception of hygiene and bad breath is considered to be disgusting and unacceptable. Hygiene methods depend on economic and socio-regional factors. The type of self-care and professional care depends on economic factors, personal beliefs in cause and remedy and availability of oral care facilities. People who have dental problems usually go to a dental clinic in a hospital or consult a traditional healer. Further research could focus on the oral health policy of the government; physical differences in dental and periodontal structures between different ethnic groups and their influence on oral health diseases and problems; influence of knowledge of oral health on oral hygiene practices.
Good breath, bad breath
This thesis is the result of an explorative study for the master’s study of Medical Anthropology and Sociology about knowledge and ideas on oral health and the availability and accessibility of self-care and professional oral care. The research was carried out in urban and rural areas in Chipata District, Zambia. Data was collected from participants via participatory observation, guided discussion and semi-structural interviews. Food diaries were used to collect data on daily nutrition. The results of this study suggest that people have knowledge and ideas on oral health, oral health problems and methods of oral care. This knowledge of oral health does not seem to influence the motivation for oral hygiene but does determine people’s type of oral self-care or professional oral care. People’s ideas about oral health seem to be more rooted in society than in biological explanations. Oral hygiene practices are performed for social reasons. Hygiene is important to distinguish a person as clean and wealthy and hygiene activities are performed to be accepted and respected in society. Oral health problems are associated with this perception of hygiene and bad breath is considered to be disgusting and unacceptable. Hygiene methods depend on economic and socio-regional factors. The type of self-care and professional care depends on economic factors, personal beliefs in cause and remedy and availability of oral care facilities. People who have dental problems usually go to a dental clinic in a hospital or consult a traditional healer. Further research could focus on the oral health policy of the government; physical differences in dental and periodontal structures between different ethnic groups and their influence on oral health diseases and problems; influence of knowledge of oral health on oral hygiene practices.
